Maternity Sharing 101: What Knew Health Members Need to Know

Maternity Sharing 101: What Knew Health Members Need to Know

Pregnancy brings such joy and anticipation. You're preparing to welcome a precious new life into your world - an experience that transforms everything. Yet alongside this excitement, many expectant parents feel overwhelmed by the mounting medical expenses that seem to grow with each appointment. We understand that financial stress shouldn't overshadow this beautiful journey. At Knew Health , we offer a refreshing alternative to health insurance that helps you focus on what truly matters - nurturing your growing family. Our maternity health sharing approach connects you with a supportive Community that walks alongside you throughout pregnancy and beyond. With our recently enhanced Member Guidelines , maternity sharing has become even more comprehensive. Let's explore exactly how our Community shares in your maternity services and what you can expect as a Member.

When you join Knew Health, you'll select an IUA (Initial Unshareable Amount) that works for your family's budget. Your maternity Need follows the same sharing structure as any other Medical Need. After meeting your chosen IUA for maternity expenses, the Community shares in all remaining eligible costs. Here's what makes this special: you'll only need to meet one IUA for everything related to your pregnancy journey. This includes shareable expenses for prenatal care, delivery, postnatal care, and even any unexpected complications. The Community stands ready to support you through it all.

Health sharing empowers you with true healthcare freedom - no network restrictions limiting your choices. You're free to select the certified maternity practitioner who feels right for you, whether that's an OB/GYN, midwife, or specialist. Want to deliver at a hospital? Perfect. Prefer a birthing center or home birth? Those are wonderful options too. Simply let your provider know you're a "self-pay" patient. Our Community and Care Team stand behind you, ready to help with bill submission, negotiation support, and expense management throughout your journey.

Here's something wonderful: many providers offer reduced rates when you prepay maternity expenses. When this option is available, Knew Health can share in the Need before delivery - one less thing to think about when your little one arrives! Simply provide an estimate from your provider along with your Need Request form. Once you've met your IUA, the remaining maternity expenses become eligible for sharing.

Many providers offer a "global fee" that bundles all maternity services from your first visit through delivery and postpartum care. This single payment typically includes all professional obstetric or midwifery services for routine care, delivery, and recovery.

Health insurance often leaves you navigating deductibles, copayments, and surprise bills for services not included in your plan. With Knew Health, we believe in transparency. Our Member Guidelines clearly outline what's eligible for sharing, so you can plan with confidence. Here's what our Community shares in:

• Routine office visits with your provider
• Routine blood work and testing
• Most immunizations (including flu shots)
• Fetal non-stress tests (after 36 weeks)
• Up to three standard ultrasounds (additional scans eligible if medically necessary for complications)
• STD/STI screenings prescribed as part of routine prenatal care
• Chiropractic care - up to 8 sessions total (prenatal through 2 months post-delivery)
• Pelvic Floor Therapy - up to 2 sessions total (prenatal through 3 months post-delivery)

• OB/GYN labor and delivery services
• Cesarean and multiple births
• Hospital labor, delivery, and room charges
• Anesthesiologist services
• Services from legally practicing midwives
• Home births and birthing center deliveries
• Expenses related to unexpected maternal complications
• One in-hospital pediatrician visit, including routine immunizations, blood work, and hearing tests (eligible when baby is added to Membership within 30 days and services occur before discharge)

• Mother's six-week postpartum checkup with pap test
• Two-week cesarean post-op appointment
• Chiropractic care - up to 8 sessions total (prenatal through 2 months post-delivery)
• Pelvic Floor Therapy - up to 2 sessions total (prenatal through 3 months post-delivery)
• Postpartum depression care - eligible for sharing up to $3,500 per pregnancy

Timely bill submission keeps everything flowing smoothly. Please submit all maternity bills as soon as you receive them - ideally within 6 months of pregnancy confirmation to ensure eligibility for sharing.

For maternity expenses to be eligible for sharing, your expected delivery date must fall after your first 12 months of Membership. If you're thinking about growing your family in the near future, we encourage joining early to ensure you're ready when the time comes!

Knew Health proudly shares 100% of all eligible maternity Medical Needs. We believe in complete transparency about what's not eligible for sharing, helping you plan accordingly and avoid surprises. Understanding these exclusions empowers you to budget for any additional services you might want. Here are maternity expenses that fall outside of Community sharing:

• 3D and 4D ultrasounds
• Non-prescription supplements
• Massage therapy
• Genetic testing, including:
  • Amniocentesis Inhibin A
  • Alpha-Fetoprotein Serum (AFP)
  • NIPT testing
  • Services from genetic testing companies

• Doula services
• Birthing tubs or similar equipment
• Placenta encapsulation
• Circumcision

*Other services may not be eligible as determined by Knew Health. If you have questions about specific services, please contact our Care Team before receiving care.

• Breast pumps
• Lactation consultant services
• Mother's immunizations
• Massage therapy
• Additional postpartum services beyond those listed as shareable

We believe wellness extends beyond medical appointments. That's why every Member receives an annual $200 Self-Care Credit to support your overall wellbeing. Use it for that prenatal massage you've been wanting, order supplements from our online dispensary at Member discount prices, or join those relaxing prenatal yoga classes. Your Self-Care Credit is yours to use however best supports your wellness journey.

While focusing on your maternity care, it's equally important to plan for your newborn's healthcare needs. Your eligible maternity Need includes routine care for your newborn without complications, including premature babies. Any services beyond standard newborn care would be considered a separate Medical Need for your baby.

If your newborn isn't born under a shareable maternity Need, simply enroll them in their own Knew Health Membership within 30 days of birth. This ensures their Membership begins on their birthday, making all newborn wellness visits eligible for sharing ! If you enroll after 30 days, no worries - Membership will simply begin on the first day of the following month.

We're here to support you every step of the way, so please reach out with any questions! Remember, enrolling your newborn promptly ensures peace of mind from their very first day.

Choosing a health sharing Community like Knew Health means surrounding yourself with support during one of life's most transformative experiences. Our Community approach provides meaningful assistance for essential Medical Needs while helping you maintain control over your healthcare choices and expenses. Through your Self-Care Credit and the backing of our caring Community, Knew Health ensures you never walk alone on your journey into motherhood. Ready to explore how we can support your growing family? Schedule a one-on-one conversation with a Care Team Member today.

Please note: All information in this article is accurate as of 11/20/24 but is subject to change. Please refer to the most current Member Guidelines to verify what is eligible for sharing, or contact our Care Team at any time.

Disclaimer: Knew Health is not an insurance company nor is the Membership offered through an insurance company. Knew Health Membership does not satisfy state or federal requirements for healthcare coverage or minimum essential coverage. This is not a legally binding agreement to reimburse or indemnify you for medical expenses you incur. There is no guarantee of payment of medical expenses you incur.

Author

Kimberly Hirsch resides in southern New Hampshire with her husband and two sons. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Providence College in Rhode Island and a Master's degree from the University of Phoenix, Las Vegas. Kimberly taught elementary school for ten years and spent eight wonderful years as a stay-at-home mom raising her boys. She is currently a content writer and children's book author. She has published four children's books and has plans to publish many more in the future. When she isn't writing, Kimberly can be found taking combat and weight lifting classes at the gym, baking healthy snacks, reading, doing author visits at local schools, and being a boy mom.